Coverage of Violence Against Women on Rustavi 2 (2020-2025)

Violence against women refers to any act of gender-based violence that results in physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women. This type of violence can take many forms, including but not limited to domestic violence, sexual assault, rape, human trafficking, female genital mutilation, and forced prostitution. It is a widespread and deeply rooted problem that affects women of all ages, backgrounds, and social statuses worldwide. Ignoring ethical norms when reporting on violence can have significant consequences for both individuals and society as a whole. If the media disseminates incomplete information or misinformation without ethical guidelines, this can lead to public confusion, distrust of media outlets, violation of the presumption of innocence, and the introduction of stigma. This practice can also violate the law on the inviolability of private life, and sensationalized coverage can cause emotional distress, damage to human reputation, and even physical harm. The aim of this paper is to reveal the dynamics of media coverage of violence, to demonstrate its transformation trends in this regard, and to promote the introduction of such principles of coverage that do not encourage perpetrators, do not aggravate the situation of family members of victims, do not create new stigma, and do not place the wrong emphasis.